A good friend of mine recently decided to start-up her own business, and asked me if there were any web sites or blogs that I recommend she read.

I’m currently subscribed to approximately 40 blogs relating to small business, blogging, marketing, etc. Although I love them all, some are more highly regarded as great resources for these particular topics.

The cream of the crop so to speak…

Now, this isn’t a definitive list, as it’s all subject to personal opinion, if you know what I mean. There are obviously a LOT more blogs than the ones listed below, and many of these actually cross-over between different categories - although I did attempt to place them in the most applicable spot…

Anyway, these are the blogs that I personally refer to the most. Whether it is to read the latest post, or search through the archives for something specific, you can often find me on these sites. They are the “must reads” on my feed reader.

I use Netvibes, by the way - check out my Netvibes Universe here… all of the blogs below are already setup for your reading pleasure!

Blogging

• ProBlogger
• Pro Blog Design
• Remarkablogger
• Skelliewag

Business

• Freelance Folder
• Freelance Switch
• Self Made Chick
• Shane & Peter, Inc.
• Sproutwire
• Wake Up Later

Marketing

• Chris Garrett
• Dosh Dosh
• IttyBiz

Productivity

• Million Dollar Leverage
• Put Things Off
• Zen Habits

Work / Life Balance

• Anywired
• eMoms at Home
• Freelance Parent
• Jarkko Lane

What’s In YOUR Feed Reader?

If you could only subscribe to 3 feeds relating to the topics above…
what would be on your list? What MUST you read no matter what?

Please leave a comment below - I’d love to hear your suggestions! I’ll eventually be setting up a Blogroll page, which will include the sites above. I’m open to suggestions for additional blogs to add to the list, so let me know your thoughts!

Good luck with your new venture, Nicole - and thanks for inspiring this post!

I read a great post on Freelance Folder today: How to Balance Freelancing with a Full Time Job Without Burning Out by Michael Martine of Remarkablogger.

This article is of particular interest to me since…. well, I am a freelancer / small business owner who also has a full time job. I have to tell you, it can be stressful at times! I’ve managed well so far but I realize that it is a very delicate juggling act to successfully manage two careers and a family, without burning out!

A Small Snippet from the Article

It is possible to effectively balance your full-time job with freelancing - without going insane or burning out. I do it, and in this post, I’ll tell you how you can, too. Many of us begin freelancing while we are still employed in full-time jobs.

Here are some requirements and tips for staying sane while working the 9-5 and freelancing on the side.

• Get help from others
• Calculate your total work and billable hours
• Become an efficiency ninja
• Take care of yourself
• Write blog posts in advance
• Keep your two jobs separated
• Take mini vacations

Juggling Act

If you’re facing a daily juggling act like I am, I highly recommend heading over to Freelance Folder to read the full article. Michael makes several good points. One in particular I know I need to focus more on is “Take care of yourself” - I know sleep is the first thing to go when I’m facing multiple deadlines, and is likely the thing that’s going to burn me out the quickest (I live for weekends when I can actually get 7 hours of sleep - 8 if I’m lucky!)

The information on calculating your work time and billable hours are very important, as of course, are the tips on efficiency. I also like the suggestions on writing blog posts in advance. This is something I’m only now finally starting to do…

Reader Suggestions

I hope you’ll head over to the original article. I made a few comments there, and am sure the post will receive many more reader comments and suggestions, as well, which I am very interested in reading about. Anything to help a girl out, right?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject, whether here or over at Freelance Folder. Is there anything you feel is most important when juggling both a full-time and freelance career, and in many cases, a family too?

One of my primary goals for 2008 is to create a healthy work / life balance.

Considering that I run my own web design business while also being employed full time, it often seems that all I do is work. On average, I’d say that I work on average, 60-70 hours a week. I’m sure there are many entrepreneurs, freelancers and work-at-home individuals in the same boat… especially other work-at-home-mom’s and work-at-home-dad’s.

How do I find the time to get so much work done, while still caring for my child and spending time with my spouse… an add to that attempting to maintain a (somewhat) clean household, etc.?

It can all get quite a bit overwhelming!

Below are a few articles I’ve found relating to time management, productivity, and the work / life balance.

I’ve found some very helpful information in these posts! I hope you find some helpful suggestions in these articles that you can incorporate into your daily routines, as well.

Freelance Folder
How to Unleash the Productivity Beast

IttyBiz
Time Management for Entrepreneurs: How to Avoid Burnout

IttyBiz
Time Management for Entrepreneurs: How to Get 4 More Hours In Your Day

Mom Works at Home
Be a Balanced Mom

Mom Works at Home
WAHM - How to Find Time for Your Business

Online Merchant Network
How I’ve Wrestled the Time Management Beast to the Ground

Zen Habits
3 Ways to Claim Your Life Back - How to Step Away from the Computer